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The OCVarsity Fab 15 selects the top Class of 2020 high school football players in the West.
FAB 15 FIRST TEAM
1. Bryce Young, Mater Dei
QB, 6-0, 190
The consensus top recruit in the West, Young is a smooth operator in the pocket but becomes special throwing on the run or scrambling for extra yards. The Register’s Offensive Player of the Year ranks as the top quarterback in the class of 2020, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He led Mater Dei to CIF-SS and state titles in 2018, his first season at the school.
Status: Alabama (enrolled)
2. DJ Uiagalelei, St. John Bosco
QB, 6-5, 245
The Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year checks all the boxes as a pro-style quarterback prospect. He’s tall, strong in the pocket and owns a rocket arm. He’s also a big-time winner after leading the Braves to a national title in 2019.
Status: Clemson (enrolled)
3. Justin Flowe, Upland
LB, 6-2 225
An imposing force on the field, Flowe combines a physical style with excellent athleticism and speed. It he gets near the football, opponents will feel it.
Status: Oregon (signed)
4. Kelee Ringo, Saguaro, Ariz.
CB, 6-2, 205
Ringo ranks as 247Sports’ No. 1 cornerback in the nation, and that’s high praise. O.C. fans know the talents of Elias Ricks (IMG Academy/Mater Dei) and Clark Phillips III (La Habra). Rivals ranked Ricks the No. 1 corner but Ringo appears just as dynamic and has a bit more size. Ringo also played running back in 2019.
Status: Georgia (signed)
5. Bijan Robinson, Salpointe Catholic, Ariz.
RB, 6-0, 200
The No. 1-ranked running back in the nation by 247Sports combines size and breakaway speed with exceptional athleticism. He’s capable of slick spin moves and leaping one-handed catches. There’s also plenty of substance to Robinson, who rushed for 2,235 yards and 38 TDs this past season.
Status: Texas (signed)
6. Noah Sewell, Orem, Utah
LB, 6-2, 250
It’s scary to think about Sewell pairing with Justin Flowe at linebacker at Oregon the next few years. Sewell is another punishing tackler who moves well for his size. He averaged almost 9 yards per carry last season as a running back. But speaking of size, Rivals says he played at 270 pounds at the All-American Bowl. He’s going to have to watch his weight to stick at linebacker.
Status: Oregon (enrolled)
7. CJ Stroud, Rancho Cucamonga
QB, 6-2, 194
The Elite 11 winner is an athletic quarterback who throws well on the run and also steps up in the pocket. He passed for 3,878 yards and 47 TDs this season. He is arguably the third-best quarterback prospect in the nation.
Status: Ohio State (enrolled)
8. Gary Bryant Jr., Centennial Corona
WR, 5-11, 165
The West’s No. 1 wide receiver is smaller than his national rivals, but he makes up for it with quickness, solid hands and competitiveness. He hauled in 58 passes for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs as a senior. In his two games this season, against Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, he combined for 15 catches for 248 yards and one touchdown. He signed with the Trojans as an athlete.
Status: USC (enrolled)
9. Clark Phillips III, La Habra
CB, 5-10 180
A playmaker. The one-time Ohio State commit is the shortest of the elite cornerbacks in the nation, but he is just as athletic and competitive. The Register’s Defensive Player of the Year was a true shutdown corner who excelled against the best competition. He is the No. 5 cornerback in the nation, according to 247Sports.
Status: Utah (enrolled)
10. Darnell Washington, Desert Pines, Nev.
ATH/TE, 6-7, 260
Washington ranks as 247Sports’ No. 2 athlete in the nation, and look for him to play tight end for Georgia. The Bulldogs recruited the West well.
Status: Georgia (signed)
11. Sav’ell Smalls, Kennedy Catholic, Wash.
DE, 6-4, 235
Smalls is another athletic force at defensive end. Washington’s No. 1 prospect also played wide receiver for Kennedy Catholic.
Status: Washington (signed)
12. Kendall Milton, Buchanan
RB, 6-1, 220
Milton is a speedster who loves to turn the corner and sprint past defenders. He is certainly in the class of Bijan Robinson of Salpointe Catholic, Ariz.
Status: Georgia (enrolled)
13. Gee Scott Jr., Eastside Catholic, Wash.
WR, 6-2, 205
Don’t sleep on Scott. Yes, Julian Fleming and Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be higher-ranked receivers in Ohio State’s class, but Scott combines size and strength with a strong motivation to succeed. He hauled in 76 receptions this season for 1,453 yards and 15 TDs.
Status: Ohio State (enrolled)
14. Andrew Gentry, Columbine, Colo.
OL, 6-8, 310
The No. 1 player in Colorado held many offers, including ones from Alabama, LSU and Ohio State, but he picked Virginia. He’s a physical blocker, especially on running plays.
Status: Virginia (signed)
15. Ethan Garbers, Corona del Mar
QB, 6-3, 200
Garbers is underrated by many scouts but not here. He didn’t face the elite competition of say the Trinity League, but his impressive body of work as a senior backed up his Elite 11 status. He completed 70 percent of his passes for 5,035 yards and 71 TDs this season, both Orange County records. He also showed improved athleticism and seems driven to compete with his older brother Chase, who is excelling at Cal.
Status: Washington (enrolled)
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FAB 15 SECOND TEAM
Rank, player name, school, position, signed with
16. Myles Murao, Mater Dei, C, Washington (enrolled)
17. John Humphreys, Corona del Mar, WR, Stanford
18. Jermaine Burton, Calabasas, WR, Georgia
19. Jalen McMillan, San Joaquin Memorial, WR, Washington
20. Johnny Wilson, Calabasas, WR, Arizona State
21. Tosh Baker, Pinnacle (Ariz.), OT, Notre Dame
22. LV Bunkley-Shelton, Serra, WR, Arizona State
23. Jay Butterfield, Liberty of Brentwood, QB, Oregon
24. Elijhah Badger, Folsom, Ath., Arizona State
25. Shane Illingworth, Norco, QB, Oklahoma State
26. Daniyel Ngata, Folsom, AP, Arizona State (enrolled)
27. Jordan Botelho, St. Louis (Hawaii), LB, Notre Dame (enrolled)
28. Darion Green-Warren, Narbonne, CB, Michigan
29. Ayden Hector, Eastside Catholic (Wash.), CB, Stanford
30. Van Fillinger, Corner Canyon (Utah), DE, Utah